DEVELOP YOUR COUNSELLING SKILLS AS A PROFESSIONAL COUNSELLOR WHILE PURSUING YOUR OWN SPIRITUAL FORMATION
What is the Master of Counselling?
The Master of Counselling is an award of the University of Divinity and delivered by Stirling College. It is the second phase of a postgraduate professional counsellor training programme in partnership with the Australian Institute of Family Counselling (aifc). The Master of Counselling provides students with advanced professional skills for counselling ministry and for pastoral and spiritual formation. It nurtures the formation of a professional identity and vision suitable for individual and relational counselling. The course equips graduates to engage in supportive and intensive therapies with psychological competence and theological congruence.
The one-year full-time course includes 6 units at AQF level 9 (Masters) made up of 2 units in Supervised Counselling Practicum and 4 elective units including theology/biblical studies, pastoral care, counselling, clinical pastoral education and supervision. The course may be studied part-time over a longer period.
Students will only be able to enter into the Master of Counselling upon successful completion of aifc’s Graduate Diploma course.
PHASE 4
10134NAT Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Integrated Psychotherapy (Spiritual)
Australian Institute of Family Counselling
aifc enrolments open
1 November 2021
Submit this form online.
PHASE 5
Master in Counselling
Stirling College, University of Divinity
To study in 2022, apply before
11 February 2022
Submit this form by email.
FAQs
What is innovative about the Master of Counselling from the University of Divinity?
For the first time you can combine the benefits of professional skills training of a VET qualification with the advantages of higher academic learning in one professional qualification. The Master of Counselling is the product of a partnership between the Australian Institute of Family Counselling (aifc) and Stirling College and is offered in two phases.
What is the advantage of a two-phase delivery of the professional training programme?
Integration is the advantage
aifc’s Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Integrated Psychotherapy (Spiritual) is the first phase focusing on specific vocational skills that meet the needs of the industry. Stirling College’s Master of Counselling is the second phase that offers advanced professional knowledge at university level. The two phases are combined into a seamless journey toward greater professional competence and higher educational qualifications.
How am I assured of a quality professional qualification?
The quality is in the accreditation
aifc’s Graduate Diploma is nationally accredited and professionally recognised for integrating theology, psychology and spirituality with integrity and ethical responsibility. Stirling College as a college of The University of Divinity is known for its commitment to ongoing theological reflection and the formation of each member of its learning community. The Master of Counselling has been accredited by ACA and PACFA. Both are peak accreditation bodies in the field.
What does Phase 5 look like compared to Phase 4?
The partnership enables you to study online with your participation in seminars in the location of your choice in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Perth (the same location for both phases). For Phase 4, see aifc’s Course Guide www.aifc.com.au for detailed information on the Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Integrated Psychotherapy (Spiritual).
Phase 5 consists of 6 units (144 points) in the Counselling and Accreditation streams made up of 2 capstone units (48 points) and 4 electives (96 points). The electives vary by stream to ensure the highest possible level of professional accreditation. The two capstone units are replaced by a capstone research experience in the Research stream.
What units will I study?
Visit our list of units (core and elective) available for study in Phase 5 as part of the Master of Counselling.
Phase 5 Course outline (total: 144 points)
| Stream 1 Counselling Accreditation | Stream 2 Professional Development | Stream 3 Research Formation | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| XP90765 Supervised Counselling Practice Integration (Practicum) XP90775 Advanced Counselling Theories, Processes and Strategies These units are taken concurrently | XP90765 Supervised Counselling Practice Integration (Practicum) XP90775 Advanced Counselling Theories, Processes and Strategies These units are taken concurrently | Research essay of 12000 words in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies (relevant to counselling) | 48 points capstone experience |
| CT8702S Christ amid life’s complexities | CT8702S Christ amid life’s complexities | CT8702S Christ amid life’s complexities | 24 points level 8 Students who have successfully completed prior units in Systematic Theology at AQF levels 7,8 or 9 may instead choose any level 8 or 9 unit from a range of units |
| DP9778S Human Development DP9779S Critical Incident, Counselling, Trauma and Suicide DP9730S The Art of Reconciliation | Two 24 point units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies. For example: DP3/9070S Pastoral, Spiritual and Theological Issues in Ageing & Palliative Care DP2/3/9022S Pastoral and Spiritual Care in a Multi-Faith Context DP2/3/9006S Pastoral and Spiritual Care in Situations of Abuse and Trauma Any 24 point unit | Two 24 point units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies and one compulsory unit in Research Methodology. For example: DP3/9070S Pastoral, Spiritual and Theological Issues in Ageing & Palliative Care DP2/3/9022S Pastoral and Spiritual Care in a Multi-Faith Context DP9034S Human Research Methodologies | 48 points of Elective units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies |
How do I know which stream I should study?
Stream 1: The Counselling accreditation stream is for students who enter Phase 1 of the Master of Counselling without a counselling qualification but with a relevant undergraduate degree in a field such as psychology or theology. The purpose of Phase 2 for these students is to build up your hours in supervised counselling, thereby enabling you to gain accreditation with one of the two peak counsellor accreditation bodies.
Stream 2: The Professional Development stream is for students who enter Phase 1 with enough study and hours of supervised counselling to gain accreditation as a counsellor from a professional industry body. These students have typically completed aifc’s Diploma of Counselling (Christian) and Advanced Diploma of Counselling and Family Therapy (Christian) before entering Phase 1 or the Master of Counselling. The purpose of Phase 2 enrolment is therefore to advance your level of professional accreditation as well as your knowledge and skills.
Stream 3: The Research stream is for students who have a sufficient number of accredited and supervised counselling hours to already have gained higher levels of accreditation with ACA or PACFA. The purpose of Phase 2 for these students is to test your capacities and be formed for research.
What is the mode of delivery?
The delivery mode is mixed or ‘blended’ including online learning, face to face seminars, reading and assessments and client practice hours.
Cost of Study
The Master of Counselling requires completion of 6 standard postgraduate units (144 points). Fees for 2022 are $2,732 per standard unit or $16,392 for a full-time year (6 units).
FEE-HELP
Australian citizens and holders of a permanent humanitarian visa may defer the payment of fees through the FEE-HELP loan scheme. Tuition fees are paid by the government, and debited to a loan account. Students are not required to begin repaying the accumulated loan debt until their taxable income rises above the compulsory repayment threshold. Please see www.studyassist.gov.au for more information.
To apply, indicate FEE-HELP as your payment method on the application for admission form. When re-enrolling within a course, fees will continue to be charged to FEE-HELP unless the student advises Stirling College of a change to upfront fee payment. For further information, please contact Stirling College.
What are the admission requirements?
Phase 4, 10900NAT Graduate Diploma in Counselling (Christian), must be successfully completed before studying Phase 2, Master in Counselling.
Entry to Phase 5 also requires a successful interview and has a minimum grade requirement and requires the applicant to have access to suitable clinical experience.
Admission to professionally accredited counselling courses require demonstration of self-awareness, relational capacity, ethical practice, and mature life experience as outlined in www.pacfa.org.au.
Admission dates
Admissions for first semester 2023 close on Friday 17 February 2023.
Who do I contact for more information?
For general information please contact:
Dr Art Wouters, Dean of Counselling at Stirling College
Email: awouters@stirling.edu.au.
For enrolment enquiries please contact:
Shivon Barresi, aifc Course Steward – Master of Counselling
Email: shivon.barresi@aifc.com.au
Alternatively visit the www.aifc.com.au or www.stirling.edu.au and www.divinity.edu.au websites.
Students of the Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Psychotherapy (Spiritual) may contact their aifc course coordinator.